Awards & Scholarships

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry has a number of scholarships and other awards available to chemistry majors and incoming freshmen who have declared as chemistry majors. The Scholarships and Awards Committee reviews the academic records of all current chemistry majors when considering departmental awards and there is no formal application needed for these unless otherwise noted.

Access our Incoming Freshman Chemistry Scholarship Application Form for Incoming Freshmen and Letter of Reference Form beginning October 1st, and be sure to have your materials in by the annual deadline of March 1st.  The Scholarship Application Form for Incoming Freshmen will require a 500 word essay describing your career goals and why you would like to study chemistry, your employment/extracurricular activities/hobbies, GPA, ACT and/or SAT and high school ranking percentile (if available).  Information on mailing the official high school transcript will be provided.  The Letter of Recommendation should ideally be submitted by a high school chemistry teacher or other science teacher.

Apply for Scholarships

Additional opportunities for scholarships can be found through:

  • The "Kent State University Scholarships for Broadening Participation in the Sciences" program sponsored by the National Science Foundation.
    More Information on NSF-STEM Scholarships
  • Kent State University’s Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program sponsored by the National Science Foundation. The REU program supports selected Chemistry majors for a 10-week period each summer to conduct research in Chemistry and allied fields.
  • More Information on Kent State’s REU Program

An undergraduate student receives an award during the Honors Day Celebration.The Department recognizes its scholarship and award winners each year at our Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Celebration of Student Achievement. We invite all scholarship and award recipients along with all undergraduate chemistry majors, chemistry graduate students and chemistry faculty to attend a special colloquium in their honor. The colloquium is followed by a brief awards program and reception.

Chemistry and Biochemistry Scholarships

Chemistry Honors Alumni Scholarship

Chemistry Honors Alumni Scholarship

Available to: Incoming Freshman.

Eligibility: Based on credentials submitted for admission to Honors College; Chemistry major. Note that the Honors College administers this award.

Annual Amount: $1,500

Renewable? Yes; must maintain a 3.0 GPA or greater.

Chemistry Chair’s Scholarship

Chemistry Chair’s Scholarship

Available to: Incoming Freshman.

Eligibility: Awarded to incoming freshmen majoring in chemistry, based on departmental scholarship application.

Annual Amount: $1,000 one-time award

Chemical Reactions Scholarship Fund

Chemical Reactions Scholarship Fund

Available to: Sophomore status or above.

Eligibility:  Student whose primary academic focus is in Chemistry or Biochemistry area;>3.2 GPA.

Annual Amount:  $1,500

Renewable? Yes, must maintain a 3.2 GPA or greater.

Professor Chun-che Tsai Endowed Scholarship in Chemistry and Biochemistry

Professor Chun-che Tsai Endowed Scholarship in Chemistry and Biochemistry

Available to: Juniors

Eligibility: junior or non-graduating senior with the highest GPA at the end of their junior year and/or have completed junior-level chemistry courses.

Annual Amount: $1,500 one-time award or $750 if split between two recipients.

Gary L. Wamer Endowed Chemistry Scholarship

Gary L. Wamer Endowed Chemistry Scholarship

Available to: Seniors.

Eligibility: student entering senior year with a minimum 3.6 GPA and who has completed at least one semester of undergraduate research, expressed an intention of pursuing a career in some area of chemistry upon graduation and demonstrated financial need via the FAFSA.

Annual Amount: $2,500

Chemistry and Biochemistry Undergraduate Excellence Award

Chemistry and Biochemistry Undergraduate Excellence Award

Available to: Graduating Seniors.

Eligibility: Award for excellent chemistry majors who are graduating, determined by scholarship committee.

Annual Amount: $200 one-time award

Other Scholarships

Other Scholarships

In addition to the scholarships listed above, there are about other awards and prizes available.           

The Scholarship Committee will contact you if you are selected for an award.

*Please note that the scholarships listed above are subject to change.

Chemistry Honors Alumni Scholarship

Available to: Incoming Freshman.

Eligibility: Based on credentials submitted for admission to Honors College; Chemistry major. Note that the Honors College administers this award.

Annual Amount: $1,500

Renewable? Yes; must maintain a 3.0 GPA or greater.